Match Reports – 2016

07th May – League Away v Old Southendians

Harlow won the toss and elected to bat

Result – Old Southendians won by 7 wickets

HARLOW’S league opener ended in defeat after an excellent chase from Old Southendians. After the first innings concluded at 241, The Southend side made light work of the score after Johnson’s knock of 124*, saw them reach the target in less than 40 overs.

Preparations were not ideal with heavy traffic leaving Harlow, the arrived only 15 minutes prior to the start and with 3 of the usual suspects arriving well after the start, Riddell was praying on winning the toss which fortunately, he did.

Bastola fell for zero after Stopp clearly shouted waiting but Surath had other ideas! Jake Messenger was next to depart and at 17-2, it looked like the late comers may not even get the chance to bat. Riddell (37) and Stopp (17) went well rebuilding the innings with both looking in good form, running well and punishing bad balls. When Stopp chipped the ball to mid wicket, George Messenger came in and looked like he was in a rush to get back after a rusty looking first few balls! Riddell was caught behind bringing Evan to the crease and Harlow were once again struggling at 90-4.

Old South’s turned to spin and Messenger made the most of the bowling change with an onslaught of boundaries which saw him reach an entertaining 50 in no more than 28 balls. His departure saw a resurgence in a normally inconsistent middle order where Evan (21), Basnet (42) and Sykes (36) all provided firm resistance, the latter hitting 2 huge maximums. Farooq also contributed with a useful 29 but once he fell, Harlow’s innings concluded on 241.

The returning Sykes discovered a yard of extra pace over the winter and regularly beat the bats of both Old South’s openers. Stone picked up the first wicket after the batsmen inevitably got restless of Stone’s consistent lines and attempted a slog with the ball falling to the hands of Sykes.

Bull made a good 50 and made the most of a very flat wicket and quick outfield. Australian Johnson looked slow at first but after he settled in, runs came freely with superb ability to manoeuvre the ball. Bull fell to Farooq caught and bowled and Threadgold (19) was clean bowled by Jake Messnger but Bastola, Galvin and Sykes were unable to find wickets of their own on a day which ultimately belonged to the batsmen. Johnson hit the winning runs off the eye brow raising bowling of Riddell to finish the day 124* but Harlow left with 9 points after picking up 3 wickets and maximum batting points.

The fielding is certainly an area which needs to improve but the batting effort was superb after a shaky start. Harlow host Belhus next week in their first game back at Marigolds and after taking 14 Belhus wickets in his 2 games against them last year, Farooq will be hoping for the same fortunes as Harlow look to pick up their first victory.